Does anyone have a solid theory on the identity of Simón Báez, who married María de la Cerda [alias María de Balencuela?] probably sometime before Sep 1652?
Conjectured and proven children:
Nicolasa Báez de la Cerda b. c1653 probably in San Luis Potosí
Maria Báez b. 1653 in San Luis Potosí [may be the same person as sister Nicolasa Báez de la Cerda]
Simon Báez de la Cerda b. c1656 probably in Aguascalientes
Ygnacio Báez de la Cerna b. c1658 probably in Aguascalientes
Blasa Báez b. c1658? probably in Aguascalientes
Antonio Báez Lopes b. before 1659 probably in Aguascalientes (not proven)
Sebastiana Báez de la Cerda b 1659 in Aguascalientes
Simón Báez died in Aguascalientes and was buried 14 Dec 1659.
I lean toward one of two possibilities:
- Simón Báez is the same person as the converso merchant Simón Báez de Sevilla, who was sentenced by the Inquisition to reconciliation in the 1649 auto-da-fé in Mexico City.
- Simón Báez is the same person as Simón Enriques Báez of San Luis Potosí, nephew of the converso merchant Simón Báez de Sevilla.
Household of María de la Cerda in the 1676 Padron de Santa María de los Lagos:
Rancho deel Potrerillo [21.268897, -101.862178]
Maria de la Serda Española, viuda ++ [María de la Cerda, widow of Simón Báez]
Anto de la Serda Español, viudo ++ [unproven son]
Blasa de la Serda, Española, soltera ++ [daughter]
Ygnacio Baes, Español, soltero ++ [son]
Juan de Mendosa, Español, casado ++ Maria Ramos ++ [not sure]
Melchora de los Reyes ++ [mother of María de la Cerda and Nicolás de la Cerda? See below]
Ana Rodrigues, soltera ++
Sebastiana Ruiz ++
Domingo de Bonilla, soltero ++
Juan, Indio de 10 años +
Sebastian, Indio de 11 años +
Rancho de Castelongo [21.302221, -101.848539]
Francisco de Ysassi, Espanol, casado ++ Nicolaza Baes ++ [morisco son-in-law and daughter of María de la Cerda and Simón Báez]
Diego Hernandes, Indio, casado ++ Angelina Delacruz, India
Theriza Rodrigues, India, soltera ++
Feliphe de la Cruz, Indio, soltero ++
Juan, Indio de 10 años +
Nicolas Hernandes, Indio de 10 años +
Is María de la Cerda a sister, or close relative, of Nicolás de la Cerda (c1630-1693), who married María de Bielma on 30 Sep 1652?
- Nicolás's marriage record notes that his parents, Luis de la Serda and Melchora de los Reyes, are from San Gerónimo (Moctezuma in San Luis Potosí), not far from Mexquitic. In the 1653 baptismal record of her daughter María, María de Balencuela [alias de la Cerda?] is described as from "Mexquiteque."
- In the 1676 Padron de Santa María de los Lagos, a Melchora de los Reyes is listed in the household of María de la Cerda. María de la Cerda would be between 40 and 50 years of age at that time so her mother could easily still be living.
Simón Báez and María de la Cerda are ancestors many times over. The family is descended from three of their children in different lines. DNA test results indicate the family has Ashkenazi and possible Sephardic ancestry. Other than perhaps Toribio Hernández de Arellano (ancestor x 2) and Bartolomé de Mesquita (also an ancestor many times over), there are no other likely converso ancestors to be found.
If anyone has theories or information about Simón Báez and María de la Cerda, I would like to hear from you.
Thank you,
Travis